📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The workcamp is organized by the NGO Hnutí Brontosaurus Jeseníky which is active in a remote and unprivileged region of Jeseniky and Rychlebske Mountains. Brontosaurus is focused on the environment and sustainability; they maintain abandoned sights with respect to traditional methods and materials. One of the main projects is the vanished village of Zastavka (Stillstand) in Rychlebske Mountains where they cultivate old species of fruit trees and they experiment with the natural architecture. The aim of the workcamp is to help with the renovation of the village and also to maintain some protected meadows.
💼 What the programme involves
Firstly, you will work in Zastavka village. You will help to produce the correct mixture composed of local clay, bits of straw and sand. Under the supervision you will try to put all the layers of clay plaster. A part of the work will be also preparation and moving of material, work with wood, cleaning of dirty containers for clay, gardening. Secondly, the work will be focused on scything and removing of grass from the protected meadows (several locations). This work will be physically very demanding. You will also help to prepare the culture event “Folkloric Scything”. It will involve local community in scything together the meadows. Please bring some traditional folkloric dress from your country for the event (or a white plain shirt, trousers/long skirt and a hat).
🏠 Accommodation on site
In tents or in house made of clay and straw. A warm sleeping bag is needed. Access to electricity is limited; water is delivered in barrels. Toilets are dry (outhouse). There is no indoor shower (you can wash in a stream or in improvised natural shower). You will cook for yourselves. It’s possible you will move once during the camp to be closer to the meadows.
📍 About the location
Vanished village of Zastavka (Stillstand), near Uhelná, and several protected meadows. The surrounding countryside is mountainous and has beautiful nature. When working at the meadows, transportation will be provided.
Study part: Excursions and trips around the region of Jesenicko; presentation of the organization Brontosaurus; practical technical and crafts skills (work with natural clay plaster, hand-making of furniture) by a specialized lecturer; meeting with local people and local NGOs.
Leisure time: Discovering the beautiful mountainous countryside; visiting a local spa; protected area of Rejviz; towns of Mikulovice, Zlate Hory and Jeseník, etc. For some of the activities, local people will be also invited to join.
ℹ️ Additional information
This project is realized with the support of Johnson Controls. Non-smokers or disciplined smokers are preferred. Consumption of alcohol is not allowed in the campsite. We especially welcome hard-working people interested in natural architecture and nature protection.